The Opéra-Madeleine district of Paris is one of the most popular areas of the city as it is home to a number of the city's most famous attractions including the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Élysées. It is also one of the busiest areas of the city as it is one of Paris's business districts. This is the eighth arrondissement and is popular with those who love shopping for designer bargains and antiques.

Accommodation in Opéra-Madeleine

This district of Paris is one of the busiest and therefore has plenty of Opéra-Madeleine hotels from which to choose. From cheap, budget options to the luxury Opéra-Madeleine hotels for which Paris is famous, there is something for everyone. One of the benefits of the hotels in Opéra-Madeleine is that they are right in the heart of the city and the views are spectacular. All the major monuments will be within easy reach and the hotels benefit from good public transport links. Most hotels in the Opéra-Madeleine have top quality restaurants and there are spa options for those who want to feel pampered.

Top Five Things to Do

Visiting this area means that tourists are able to take in some of the most famous sights in the world. Art lovers should take a trip to the Gare Saint-Lazare, the second busiest of the city's six train stations and very familiar from the works of artists such as Monet.

The Élysée Palace serves as the home of the French president and is the perfect destination for those who are interested in the buildings and architecture of the city.

The Arc de Triomphe is one of the city's most famous monuments and is home to the tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as a museum dedicated to the history of the arch.

Music lovers will enjoy the Opéra Garnier, Paris's own opera company and theatre. Productions take place regularly and it is the setting for the story of The Phantom of the Opera.

The Église de la Madeleine was designed as a monument to Napoleon's army and is well worth a visit for those who want to see local art work or enjoy a meal in the church's own restaurant.

Eating Out

Eating out in Paris is always an experience and one that should not be missed. The French take their cuisine very seriously and eating out in a traditional French restaurant should be seen as a real evening out. The hospitality in French restaurants in this district of the city is warm and welcoming for all the family.

The opportunity to try traditional French dishes such as bouillabaisse (fish stew) and the famous tarte aux fruits (fruit tart) is widely available in this area. There are many traditional restaurants to choose from in the district and these range from low budget options to fine dining eateries. The area is also part of the city's cafe culture. Enjoying a coffee and a snack gives visitors the chance to watch Paris go by while they relax.

However, even when in Paris, not everyone wants to eat French food. There are also plenty of restaurants which serve other types of cuisine. Italian, Chinese and even American restaurants can also be found in the Opéra-Madeleine area of the city.

Nightlife

The eighth arrondissement of Paris is one of the best places in the city to enjoy a night out. Besides the fine dining options of the many restaurants, there are plenty of bars and clubs where tourists can enjoy a fun night out. Bars in the area range from traditional wine bars, where visitors can enjoy some of the finest wines produced in the country as well as good quality wines from around the world, to the student bars which are famous for a bohemian atmosphere.

There are also a number of nightclubs in the area. Different venues specialise in different types of music, from techno dance clubs to those that feature music from the 80s, 70s and 60s. Most clubs are open until the early hours of the morning, mainly on the weekends. These venues are generally popular with the younger generation, such as students, and there are plenty of people who travel from other parts of the city for a night out here.

Arts and Entertainment

The eighth arrondissement in Paris is home to the city's opera company and has been for decades. Opera buffs can take in a classical opera or enjoy a more contemporary production. Alternatively the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées dates back to the early 20th century and is now used mainly as a home for two different orchestras. The theatre hosts a number of opera productions each year.

Culture enthusiasts may enjoy a visit to the Musée Jacquemart-André. This is a gallery devoted to the art collections of the museum's founders and visitors can see works of art by some of the most famous painters and sculptors in history including Rembrandt, Gainsborough and Botticelli. Alternatively there is the Musée Cernuschi which is home to a very large collection of Asian art. The collection numbers more than 12,500 pieces including bronzes and ceramics, although only 900 of these are actually on permanent display due to space restrictions. The museum was founded by Henri Cernuschi and it is located in his former home very close to the Parc Monceau.

Parks and the Great Outdoors

The main outdoor space in the Opéra-Madeleine is the Parc Monceau. This covers an area of more than 20 acres, so visitors will be able to pass time in relative tranquillity, even in the heart of a busy city. The park was established in the late 18th century by the Duke of Chartres. The aim was to create an English-style garden and over the years it has seen many changes. Monet and several other artists spent time painting in the park.

There are several follies in the park including a pyramid, a windmill and a Chinese fort. There are also statues of famous French figures such as Guy de Maupassant and Chopin. Those who want a break from culture can spend time in one of the play areas and there is even Wi-Fi access for those who want to spend time on a laptop.

Those who visit the park will find it is open only from sunrise to sunset and the gated entrances are all locked and unlocked by a gatekeeper who lives above the rotunda at the main entrance to the park.